"Naruto: My Ninja Skills"Chapter 176: Settling the World's Affairs (Part 1)
Ordinary ninja, and even most ninja clans, don't really care who the country's daimyo is—after all, the daimyo barely affects the average ninja's way of life.
For instance, to the typical ninja in the Senju alliance, the daimyo's presence is most keenly felt when it's absent... They're fighting battles, running low on supplies, and only then do they remember such creatures as daimyo exist.
And that's precisely when Lord Shimizu would "seize the opportunity" to step in.
The ninja don't even bother figuring out why they're short on supplies in the first place—which is actually because Lord Shimizu has been buying them up at inflated prices...
Looking back: Lord Shimizu purchases supplies at high prices, causing shortages for the ninja, then Lord Shimizu provides supply support, the ninja get their materials, Lord Shimizu gains prestige—a perfectly closed logical loop.
However, while ordinary ninja can afford not to care who the daimyo is, the Senju Clan cannot. The Senju's reasons for supporting the Enshi family are identical to the Fireflies' reasons for supporting the Shimizu family.
There's really no question of who's being fair versus selfish here—it's simply a matter of different positions.
The Enshi family has always supported the Senju, so out of moral obligation, after the Senju alliance pacifies the Land of Fire, the Senju Clan should support the Enshi family in becoming the Land of Fire's daimyo.
However, the Senju alliance doesn't belong exclusively to the Senju Clan, so in matters like this, it can't simply be whatever the Senju say goes.
If the conflict between the Senju and Fireflies could be resolved easily, the other ninja clans would remain uninvolved and aloof.
But if it really came down to voting to determine the Land of Fire's daimyo, everyone would naturally vote according to their own preferences.
The reasoning is simple: Hashirama Senju can't force everyone to accept his will—deciding the daimyo's identity is just politics, not warfare.
If Hashirama Senju tried to force his opinion through, what was originally an "insignificant" minor matter would instantly provoke considerable dissatisfaction among many ninja.
Hashirama would never do such a thing—he'd agonize over finding a solution that satisfies all parties.
What? It's Tobirama Senju who wants to push for the Enshi family? Well, that's different.
But Yūshin's suggestion of voting was merely a proposal to pressure Tobirama Senju—he wouldn't actually follow through, because doing so would corner the Senju Clan.
If Yūshin really intended to resolve the issue through voting, that would be slapping the Senju in the face. Slapping Tobirama was fine, but Yūshin still cared about Hashirama's feelings... As always, he wasn't Senju Butsuma—he wouldn't actually want to humiliate Hashirama.
Yūshin's voting proposal was just preparation for using the "window opening method."
Senju Clan ninja always preferred mediation and compromise. For example, if you said the room was too dark and should have a skylight installed, the Senju would definitely refuse, but if you proposed tearing off the entire roof, they'd be willing to open that skylight.
After Yūshin proposed voting to decide the daimyo, Tobirama began losing control of the meeting... Simple enough—when people have power in their hands, they naturally want to try using it.
One of the fundamental principles of establishing the new ninja village was that the village belongs to everyone, not to any single ninja clan. So how could any one clan prevent everyone from exercising their power?
Yūshin gave Tobirama a "little blackie, let's see what you say now" look, nearly making his opponent explode with rage.
Very angry, but completely helpless.
Thanks to Yūshin's well-intentioned reminder, Tobirama had already realized the "Clan Leaders' Assembly" was deeply problematic, since it could easily become Yūshin's personal platform.
But he'd already announced the power structure to everyone—trying to suddenly reverse course now? Hah, definitely wouldn't work.
Not to mention Hashirama Senju absolutely loved this "Clan Leaders' Assembly." If Tobirama opposed the assembly, Hashirama would veto his opposition, because it brought feelings of unity and upward momentum—exactly what Hashirama pursued.
Partly this was Hashirama's nature, and partly, once someone possesses absolute force, they either like winning people over through virtue, or...
They genuinely like winning people over through virtue.
Yūshin was quite cheerful at this point. Politics—how could it be called politics without struggle? As long as you fight without breaking things, it's fine.
"Right, right, the Enshi family is certainly good—they provided massive support, so naturally we hope they can become daimyo... If I had two votes, I'd definitely give one to the Enshi family."
"Yes, but would the village give us small ninja clans two votes?"
"Lord Shimizu? Lord Shimizu doesn't have any particular highlights either, except for that one visit to the front lines."
"Exactly, I even heard people calling Lord Shimizu an idiot daimyo... Speaking of which, if the daimyo is an idiot, wouldn't that be more advantageous for the ninja village?"
The clan leaders began discussing among themselves, and from these voices it wasn't hard to discern that the Senju's opinion had actually become the minority position... Even if small ninja clans got two votes each, they'd still cast both votes for Lord Shimizu.
Tobirama was under siege, but this time Yūshin wouldn't rescue him, because this siege was Yūshin's doing.
Tobirama couldn't even resist.
However, this was ultimately his own predicament. In fact, if he later told Hashirama what happened at the meeting, what would Hashirama's reaction be? He'd probably just laugh heartily.
Well, seeing Tobirama about to lose his composure, Yūshin still reached out to save him... Mm, just saved him, not Lord Enshi.
"Cough, everyone knows Lord Shimizu is someone who doesn't lack courage and resolve."
When Tobirama spoke, no one paid attention, because everyone's impression of him was as Hashirama's little brother—everyone only gave him face out of respect for Hashirama.
But after Yūshin spoke, everyone quickly quieted down, because Yūshin was the Fireflies' creator and also the founder of the new ninja village's various systems... Face you earn yourself is ironclad face.
"On one hand, Lord Shimizu has always been ambitious, harboring ideals of governing the country and bringing peace to the people, so he couldn't possibly give up the Land of Fire daimyo position."
"On the other hand, he doesn't want secular matters like political power to cause disputes among us ninja."
"Therefore, Lord Shimizu mentioned a proposal to me—I wonder if everyone would like to hear it."
"Lord Yūshin, please explain Lord Shimizu's proposal in detail." Someone immediately provided support.
Needless to say, many clan leaders here were Fireflies ninja, and even if there weren't Fireflies ninja present, quite a few people would willingly serve as Yūshin's plants.
"Lord Shimizu's theory is this: since ninja have resolved the problems created by ninja, secular matters shouldn't require ninja intervention anymore. The daimyo succession question should naturally be decided by the daimyo themselves."
"So, Lord Shimizu hopes to have a secular war with Lord Enshi—that is, the kind of war that absolutely forbids ninja usage, containing not a trace of chakra, a war between civilians—to determine the Land of Fire's ownership through victory and defeat."
Yūshin first suggested everyone use their power, then prevented everyone from using their power. Theoretically, everyone should be quite unhappy—wasn't this just toying with people?
However, that wasn't the case. All the ninja present became increasingly excited.
Voting certainly counted as using power, but the feedback sensation wasn't strong.
But now, Yūshin had presented them with genuine entertainment. Watching spectacles—that was truly joyful.
This was direct sensory stimulation—throwing daimyo into the gladiatorial arena. Was this the kind of brilliant... ingenious strategy ordinary ninja could devise?
Genius—Yūshin was a rare genius in the ninja world's millennium of history.
Don't assume ninja are all cold-blooded killing machines—ninja also have rebellious psychology... Ninja fight to the death while daimyo sit back and reap the benefits. Who could feel balanced about that?
The ninja clan wars were finally ending. At this moment, having the daimyo come out and see some blood, using this as an opportunity to proclaim the new era's arrival—wasn't that perfectly reasonable?
Over all these years, exactly how many ninja had died? Compared to that, what did one or two daimyo deaths matter?
Yūshin's proposal... no, it should be called Lord Shimizu's proposal—it struck deep into the ninja's sweet spot. Once struck, they could never calm down again.
"Lord Shimizu... not only dared to go to the front lines, he even dares to personally participate in war!"
"There's actually such a daimyo!"
"Perfect fit—Lord Shimizu is simply a ninja among daimyo! Wait, no, a daimyo among ninja?"
"Lord Shimizu is preparing to seize the world himself!"
"Lord Tobirama, what do you say? Do we accept voting, or accept the daimyo's self-determination?"
The meeting room was chaotic, but ultimately the ball was kicked back to Tobirama's feet.
Tobirama glared at the person questioning him, discovering this was the Inuzuka Clan's leader. No need to think—definitely one of Yūshin's plants!
But now he was riding a tiger and couldn't dismount.
If he returned to the original voting method to decide the daimyo, then without question, Lord Shimizu's vote count against Lord Enshi would definitely be 100:1, with that "1" being Tobirama Senju himself.
Honestly, Lord Shimizu's front-line visits and supply donations, all that effort, couldn't match the effect of Yūshin's brief few sentences... Of course, without those preliminary preparations, Yūshin's words wouldn't have achieved their current impact.
Facing Yūshin's offensive, Tobirama Senju could no longer turtle up—he had to make a choice.
However, voting meant certain defeat, so...
"Lord Shimizu wants to duel? Lord Enshi also doesn't lack courage. What rules do you want to adopt?"
Tobirama asked Yūshin, simultaneously attempting to save face for Lord Enshi. However, where was Enshi's courage? Nobody had ever witnessed it.
Yūshin didn't care whether Lord Enshi had courage or not. He smiled and said:
"First, the daimyo themselves must participate in battle."
"Second, absolutely no ninja participation allowed. After battle begins, neither side's forces can contain even the slightest trace of chakra."
"Third, combat team size must not be less than 200 people, nor exceed 500 people."
"Fourth, abstention is permitted. Those who abstain forfeit the Land of Fire daimyo position."
"Fifth, battles must be conducted publicly, accepting supervision from all alliance ninja. If any ninja participate or anyone uses chakra, victory will not be recognized, and cheaters will be condemned by all!"
"Excellent! Wonderful, Lord Yūshin!"
As soon as he finished speaking, people were already cheering, and this time Tobirama couldn't claim these were Yūshin's plants, because those getting emotionally stirred weren't even Fireflies ninja.
This duel method actually seemed quite good to Tobirama as well—he even strongly approved of the "duel for daimyo" approach. But the problem was...
How to convince Lord Enshi to participate? Lord Enshi was famously cowardly.
"We... the Senju Clan needs to communicate with Lord Enshi."
Tobirama had already shown weakness. Yūshin chuckled softly, and the attendees also burst into laughter.
Yūshin stood up, waved his arm, and declared:
"Everyone, meeting adjourned!"
Tobirama Senju had never suffered such humiliation, but there was no choice—his daimyo simply wasn't as capable as Yūshin's daimyo.
Moreover, he couldn't resort to underhanded methods, because Yūshin had already drawn clear lines: daimyo matters should be resolved by daimyo themselves. If this couldn't be accepted, even attempting to "arrange" Lord Shimizu, that would be too shameless.
Doing this for Lord Enshi? Too unworthy.
Because Tobirama wasn't that concerned about Lord Enshi—what he cared about was the Senju Clan's "moral righteousness." He couldn't let the Senju face criticism over daimyo matters.
If Lord Enshi was defeated in battle against Lord Shimizu, it actually wouldn't damage Senju reputation... Fair duel, inferior skills—what was there to say? This wasn't the Senju's problem at all.
Of course, it would be best if the Enshi family could still win this battle.
...
Besides Tobirama Senju, there was another who had never suffered such humiliation...
Mm, that was Lord Shimizu.
In the ninja's hearts, the supremely courageous Lord Shimizu actually had no idea Yūshin had made arrangements for him.
Yūshin knew the Senju Clan couldn't refuse such conditions, so after ending this meeting, he left the new ninja village and returned to Reitō Castle.
When Yūshin saw Shimizu Kiyosuke again, this daimyo was lying flat, thinking that as long as he continued lying flat, he could obtain the Land of Fire daimyo position.
"Yūshin, aren't you building the new ninja village? How do you have time to return here?"
Lord Shimizu was somewhat curious about Yūshin's return, his eyes unnaturally clear.
"My lord, there's good news—Madara Uchiha has surrendered."
"Ah? Really? Does this mean the war is about to end?"
"Yes, precisely because the war is about to end, I returned here... I have an important question I want to confirm with you, my lord."
At this moment, Lord Shimizu instinctively sensed something ominous.
Then Yūshin continued:
"That is... do you want some sense of participation?"
"Wh-what sense of participation?"
Shimizu Kiyosuke, originally half-reclining in a round chair, sat bolt upright... This young man had never sat so properly in his entire life.
"What other sense of participation could there be? My lord, don't ask when you already know—naturally it's participation in the war."
"Participate in some warfare, so when you're playing with grandchildren in the future, you can boast a little. Otherwise, when your grandson asks how you became Land of Fire daimyo, you can't say you achieved it by lying flat all the way, right?"
"Lying flat all the way—is there something wrong with that?"
Shimizu Kiyosuke frowned. Didn't this precisely demonstrate his superior life planning abilities?
Yūshin sighed:
"Nothing wrong, but no glory either."
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